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Google has blocked Huawei from updating parts of its Android software used on Huawei phones.

Huawei is one of a number of phone manufacturers who use Google’s Android operating systems on its phones and tablets.

Google confirmed this morning that it has blocked the update on Huawei products in order to comply with a US government order blacklisting the Chinese tech firm.

Last week Donald Trump signed an executive order which effectively bans the Chinese firm from using American technology without government permission.

'Foreign adversaries'

Google said that it was “complying with the order and reviewing the implications,” while assuring users that their current phones would continue to work.

The order - which empowers the US government to ban the technology and services of "foreign adversaries" deemed to pose "unacceptable risks" to national security - did not name specific countries or companies.

A spokesperson for Google said: "For users of our services, Google Play and the security protections from Google Play Protect will continue to function on existing Huawei devices.”

Google confirmed the block is in order to comply with the executive order issued by Donald Trump (Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

The block is likely to prevent future updates to Android reaching Huawei devices.

Key Google apps such as the Google Play Store, Gmail and Google Maps may also not appear on future Huawei devices.

Instead, the Chinese firm would be reliant on the version of Android available through an open source licence, which is vastly more limited in its features.

"Huawei has made substantial contributions to the development and growth of Android around the world," the Chinese company said in a statement.

Ecosystem

"As one of Android's key global partners, we have worked closely with their open-source platform to develop an ecosystem that has benefited both users and the industry.

"Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products covering those which have been sold or are still in stock globally.

"We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally."

Ramifications

Industry analyst Ben Wood from CCS Insight said the cut-off could have "considerable implications" for Huawei's gadgets business.

"We still don't have a clear understanding of what Google has told Huawei and what elements of the Android operating system may be restricted, so it remains unclear what the ramifications will be.”

The UK Government has said it is yet to make a decision on whether to allow another part of Huawei's business, its telecoms equipment, to be a part of new 5G networks in the UK.

Meanwhile, retired brigadier general Robert Spalding, the former senior director for strategy at the National Security Council, wrote in the Daily Telegraph that the UK "must recognise" the strength of US feeling on Huawei.

He wrote: "Other nations must not make the mistake of thinking President Trump's recent executive order banning companies like Huawei from US networks is merely an afterthought of the trade war.

"The severity of President Trump's declaration underscores just how seriously the US views this issue, and the UK must recognise this strength of feeling.

"To miss the significance of his actions would be a grave misjudgment of how seriously we take our security in an ever-more dangerous world."